Barbados: The first ever Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be held in July and August this year.
The month-long tournament will be held from July 29 to August 26. During this period, 90 cricketers will match their skills with both bat and ball in 32 matches, and the tournament will be seen by audiences world-wide.
The CPL is looking to have six franchise countries with six franchise teams. The six countries with whom they are negotiating with are -- Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
The CPL has chosen the top six players in the region based on their stats and performances, and contracted each of them to be the franchise players for one of the six teams, ensuring that each team is bolstered by a talented, top West Indian player.
The contracted franchise players are -- Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels and Sunil Narine.
Ajmal Khan, Founder and Chairman of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), revealed further details about the league, including regional and international franchise player information, event dates, potential franchise countries, plans for player development in the region, tournament logo and the terms of agreement between the League and the WICB.
Khan was joined by WICB President Dr. Julian Hunte, Michael Muirhead, WICB CEO, Dirk Hall, Managing Director of Verus International and Jamie Stewart, CEO of Commune at the media event.
“The CPL will showcase the beauty and talent of the Caribbean to the world. The best cricketers that the West Indies has to offer playing alongside their international counterparts, coupled with celebrity appeal from Hollywood, Bollywood and local and international music talent with the carnival atmosphere for which the Caribbean is world-renowned and indeed envied, is sure to draw the attention of current and new cricket fans across the globe," said Khan.
He added: "We’re going to make sure that all eyes are on the shores of the Caribbean in July and August.”
Khan also discussed the massive economic development benefits for the region.
“I have witnessed first-hand the resurgence and revitalisation of communities and even countries when new businesses and industries are introduced into their economies, particularly those with such global reach. I believe that the Caribbean Premier League will have a tremendous economic impact, not only for the six franchise countries but also for the entire region," Khan said.
ANI
First Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 11:45